Colleges Ontario

(Toronto, Sept 10, 2009) – For the third year in a row, Ontario's colleges have experienced a significant increase in first-year full-time enrolment with a seven per cent increase in 2009, according to figures released today by Colleges Ontario.

 

This fall, more than 102,000 students are confirmed in first-year full-time programs at the province’s 24 public colleges. This increase follows a 5.6 per cent increase in enrolment last year and a six per cent increase in 2007.

 

“This trend points to the growing awareness of the career opportunities available to college graduates,” said Linda Franklin, president and CEO of Colleges Ontario. “Recent high school graduates, university graduates, and laid off or underemployed people who are looking for better careers – they’re all pursuing the higher education opportunities available at the colleges.”

 

Franklin said there is increasing recognition that colleges produce graduates who are creative thinkers and who are highly trained for their chosen careers. About 90 per cent of college graduates find work within six months and 93 per cent of employers are satisfied or very satisfied with the graduates they have hired.

 

College continues to be a popular option for university graduates who are looking to build on their postsecondary education. Franklin said Ontario needs to provide more opportunities for students to gain access to both university and college education.

 

"The province needs to support students who are looking to acquire the best postsecondary education possible, particularly in this new economy,” Franklin said. “Ontario must develop a transparent system to allow college and university students to transfer completed postsecondary credits and gain improved access to higher education.”

 

There is also a growing demand for college graduates. Even in the current economic downturn, many professions are seeking qualified employees and this demand will intensify in the years ahead. In fact, the Conference Board of Canada estimates Ontario will face a shortage of more than 360,000 skilled employees by 2025.

 

"College graduates are essential to the success of Ontario’s economy,” Franklin said. “It will be important to continue to produce greater numbers of college graduates in the years ahead.”

 

Colleges Ontario is the voice of Ontario’s 24 colleges of applied arts and technology. Ontario colleges serve about 200 communities throughout the province, delivering a wide range of career-focused education and training programs to more than 200,000 full-time and 350,000 part-time students.

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For more information:

Sally Ritchie
Senior Communications Officer
Colleges Ontario
(416) 596-0744 ext. 242